Why You’ll Love this Deli Sloppy Joe
This Deli Sloppy Joe is nothing like the ground beef sandwich you might be thinking of—it’s a New Jersey deli classic that’ll blow your mind with flavor.
I’m talking about a triple-decker masterpiece stuffed with corned beef, pastrami, coleslaw, and Swiss cheese, all held together with tangy Russian dressing.
What makes it so lovable? It’s the perfect balance of textures—soft hollowed rye bread, creamy dressing, crunchy slaw, and savory meats.
Plus, it’s wonderfully shareable. Can you imagine bringing this to your next gathering? Trust me, you’ll need those napkins. The messy eating experience is part of its charm.
What Ingredients are in Deli Sloppy Joe?
Let’s be clear—this isn’t your cafeteria-style ground beef Sloppy Joe.
We’re talking about the magnificent New Jersey deli version, a sandwich so gloriously messy it demands both a big mouth and plenty of napkins. The Deli Sloppy Joe is a beautiful marriage of premium deli meats, creamy dressing, crunchy coleslaw, and melty cheese, all nestled inside a hollowed-out rye bread loaf.
It’s comfort food that somehow feels fancy at the same time.
- 1 loaf of rye bread
- 6 ounces Russian salad dressing
- 1 pound coleslaw
- 2 ounces sliced corned beef
- 2 ounces sliced pastrami
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- Club toothpicks for serving
When shopping for these ingredients, quality really matters.
Look for a fresh, sturdy loaf of rye that can stand up to all those juicy fillings without becoming a soggy mess. For the Russian dressing, you can certainly use store-bought, but a homemade version might take this sandwich to new heights.
And while pre-packaged coleslaw works in a pinch, a freshly made batch with extra crunch will provide that perfect textural contrast to the tender meats and soft bread.
How to Make this Deli Sloppy Joe
Creating this magnificent sandwich starts with preparing the rye bread properly. Take your 1 loaf of rye and cut it down the side to open it up like a submarine sandwich.
Now here’s the essential part that many people miss—you need to hollow out that bread by removing most of the soft inside. This creates a perfect pocket for all those glorious fillings and prevents the dreaded mid-meal collapse that can turn your Sloppy Joe experience into, well, an unnecessarily sloppy one.
With your bread prepped, it’s time for the layering magic. Start by spreading about 3 ounces of your Russian salad dressing along the bottom half of the hollowed-out loaf. Next, add half a pound of coleslaw, spreading it evenly.
Layer on 2 ounces of sliced corned beef, then place 2 slices of Swiss cheese on top. The cheese acts as a bit of a barrier between your meat layers, which I find helps maintain the structural integrity of this towering creation.
Now add your 2 ounces of pastrami, another generous dollop of the remaining Russian dressing, and 2 more slices of Swiss cheese. Finish with the remaining coleslaw before carefully closing the sandwich.
For serving, you’ll want to slice this monster into three equal pieces—trust me, even hungry eaters will find a third of this sandwich plenty filling.
Secure each piece with a club toothpick to keep everything together when you serve it. And remember what the recipe title promises: this is indeed a sloppy affair.
Have plenty of napkins ready, and maybe even some forks and knives for the less adventurous eaters. The combination of crunchy coleslaw, tender meats, melty cheese, and tangy Russian dressing creates a flavor explosion that’s well worth the mess.
Deli Sloppy Joe Substitutions and Variations
While the classic deli Sloppy Joe described above is a masterpiece of flavor, you don’t need to stick rigidly to the original recipe.
I often think of recipes as gentle suggestions rather than strict rules.
Try pumpernickel instead of rye, or swap in Thousand Island dressing if Russian isn’t available.
Not a fan of corned beef? Turkey or roast beef work beautifully.
Vegetarians can substitute tempeh or seitan.
For a spicier version, mix horseradish into your dressing.
Want something lighter? Use a vinegar-based slaw instead of creamy.
The possibilities? Nearly endless.
What to Serve with Deli Sloppy Joe
A sandwich as hearty and flavor-packed as the deli Sloppy Joe deserves perfect companions on your plate.
I recommend pairing it with crisp dill pickles, which cut through the richness with their tangy crunch. A small side of potato chips—kettle-cooked for extra texture—makes this lunch complete.
For dinner, consider adding a simple cucumber salad dressed with vinegar and a touch of sugar.
The coolness balances the sandwich’s robust flavors. Need something warmer? A cup of matzo ball soup complements the deli theme perfectly.
And trust me, don’t forget extra napkins. You’ll need them with this magnificent mess of a sandwich.
Final Thoughts
As someone who’s tested countless sandwich recipes, I’m convinced this deli Sloppy Joe stands among the greats.
The combination of rye bread, Russian dressing, coleslaw, and those delicious meats creates a flavor explosion that’s worth every napkin you’ll need.
What makes this sandwich special isn’t just the ingredients—it’s the experience.
There’s something wonderfully satisfying about a sandwich that requires your full attention to eat.
Can you think of a better lunch option?
